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*Jewish Troops Surround Arab Points as Arabs Plan Wearing-Down War
May 1, 1948
Sam Souki
Amman, Trans-Jordan -- (By Telephone to Cairo) (UP)
Trans-Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt agreed Friday on a long -term military campaign to wear down the Jews in Palestine, reliable sources said Friday night.
Military leaders of the 5 Arab countries, at a momentous conference here, were reported to have decided against the idea of a blitzkrieg campaign in Palestine because they lack the tens of thousands of well-trained and well-equipped troops needed for such an operation.
Hence they decided on a war of attrition or wearing-down, sources close to them said.
It was added that the military leaders did not rule out the possibility that the Jews themselves might try a blitzkrieg campaign as soon as the British mandate expires May 15.
THE MILITARY leaders were reported to have decided on the following steps:
THE ARABS will try to hold strategic positions in Palestine after May 15 by throwing in the Trans-Jordan Arab legion, units from the Syrian and Lebanese armies and about 4,000 Iraqi troops.
EGYPT PROBABLY will provide complete artillery units, with officers and men, and planes with pilots and maintenance crews for Trans-Jordan's forces.
THE REGULAR Egyptian army will assume responsibility for Southern Palestine.
Qualified sources said that though there probably will not be an all-out attack by Arab regulars in the near future, these units will occupy various strategic positions in the Arab part of Palestine.
The Spartanburg Herald-Journal
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